5fishlimit

It's a good idea to do so.

What colors work best for you? I have the silver/green back, silver/black back, and white/red.

Trokar makes a great tube hook for t-rigging.

I started tearing apart my gear, and taking inventory of what I have and I found 3 of these I had picked up. 1 is the 11 size, a 2 are the 13 size. They've never seen water before as I've never used jerkbaits, but will give them a proper workout when the water thaws. How are these things? Will I be need to do much to them to get them to properly suspend? I appreciate any help about this.

War Eagle in white, white/chartreuse, white/copper, all copper, blue herring, firecracker, cotton candy, or blue/black. I use 1/2oz and have mainly double willow. A few are single Colorado blade. I've tried all the ones mentioned except the one by Seibert Outdoors, and I always go back to War Eagle. Great quality, and they just flat out catch fish.

Sharp ones work best. 3/0 through 5/0 size EWG are very common. Gamakatsu, VMC, Owner, Trokar are good brands to consider if using bulkier creature baits. A standard worm hook for slimmer profile baits.

I won't be able to fish them until springtime.

You could get a custom rod built to suit your needs for that budget. Just a thought.

The double dipped colors they make are deadly! My favorite tube for smallies! I also like the SK bleeding tubes, too.

I've used these on a shakey head. The green pumpkin with the chartreuse tail is the color I use. The tail will float straight up.

I'm on the fence, too.

Since we're talking trick worms here I had a question. I've always used the Zoom trick worms (love the merthiolate color), but recently got the Strike King KVD version. They both seem to be identical in design except for the tail. Does one style work better over the other, and if so what conditions? Thanks in advance.

I do this very often. On a lot of the Inland reservoir lakes there are fallen trees and docks that the techniques are - IMHO - more critical to master than those fishing from a boat.

The cranking rod is specifically for crankbaits. IMO you don't loose that much versatility with the shorter rod. You obviously can't throw big 8" Hudds on a short rod, but otherwise your okay for 1/4oz to at most 1/2oz.

I have the 7'3" MH And the 6'6" MH MicroMagic rods. You'd be surprised how versatile these rods are. I use them for all the same type things you're looking to do except for cranking. Rattle trap type baits and squarebill, maybe. I'll even throw a jig with them. I got 2 lengths only because when shore fishing it was easier to cast a shorter rod when there is a lot of vegetation overhead. On a boat I use the shorter one for 1/4oz to 1/2oz Lures, and the longer rod for 1/2oz to 3/4oz. You also have a 20 year warranty on the rod. My experience with the customer service has been amazing. Plus, that STX would look AWESOME on a Duckett! LOL! Good luck with your decision.

I saw this, too. I put the 6'10" model in my cart, and I'm going to sleep on it. This will be great christmas present to myself! LOL!

What brand, blade type and weight is the spinnerbait?

He's a nice guy. He still lives in the Cleveland area, and I've ran into him before.

For my Lake Erie tubes I use Dry Creek Custom Baits, and another company called Lake & River Lures by Fred Schubert. Both are great quality and color selection. I also like to use the Joe Balog Goby swimbait when they are 20fow or less.

The River2Sea spittin wa and Koppers are the only frogs I use anymore. The spittin wa has been a surprise for me in the quality and ease of use.

Mine is the in line spinnerbait. I always snag them. I've never been able to keep one longer than a day, but they work so well in streams and rivers.

A lot of people fish them, or else you wouldn't see offerings from several manufacturers.

What kind of jig head are you throwing? If you are using a football jig on a soft bottom you're using the wrong type. Try a grass jig like MarkH024 said.

I have a few of them and they are fine rods. Great customer service too. I have a rod set up with 65lb power pro braid and don't have any issues with the line going through the guides. The knot connecting the leader won't go through (San Diego jam knot), but I only keep a 12" leader so it's not that big of an issue for me.

I like to use them for smallies. I cast them, let them fall to the bottom, and them rip them off the bottom. Rinse, and repeat.